Metal tab riveting machine



June 28, 1966 G. c. LUTHER 3,257,715

METAL TAB RIVETING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 444w 6. Ayn/2 M MJWw m lrroxyzrs June 28, 1966 G. c. LUTHER 3,257,715

METAL TAB RIVETING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 54;}; 61 40742-1? FJ/l 2 M sewn June 28, 1966 G. c. LUTHER 3,257,715

METAL TAB RIVETING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.4

64 z-wn/ 6. 4021/52 Jrrozwzrs June 28, 1966 c, LUTHER 3,257,715

METAL TAB RIVETING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 H HM 57 XV 2 2 9 INVENTOR.

Aryan/75 June 28, 1966 G. c. LUTHER METAL TAB RIVETING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May '22, 1964 INVENTOR.

6454 (I Lari/E2 4/1 #224252. ,4rmmvsrs United States Patent 3,257,715 METAL TAB RIVETING MACHINE Glenn C. Luther, 6006 Camden N., Minneapolis 12, Minn. Filed May 22, 1964, Ser. No. 369,465

18 Claims. (Cl. 29-243.52)

The present invention has relation to a machine for placing metal tabs on index sheets and more particularlyto a machine which will receive the tabs from a supply, open them, and punch them into place on a sheet positioned on the machine.

Previously all metal tabs have been placed on punch presses one at a time with a pair of tongs. The operator had then picked up the index sheet, positioned it in the dies, and tripped a press to rivet'the tab to the sheet. This was a time consuming job and consequently the cost of the index sheets'was raised.

With the machine of the present invention a magazine supply station containing two hundred-fifty tabs is used and the index sheets are positioned on the machine. Suita ble control mechanism is provided to cause the machine to remove one of the tabs from the magazine, move it into riveting position, open it, and rivet it to an index sheet, in a continuous operation.

The operator then merely moves the sheet to which the tab has been riveted and inserts a new sheet into the machine.

Once the index sheet is properly positioned in the machine the complete sequence of operation is automatic.

It is an object of the present invention to present a machine for riveting metal tabs onto index sheets automatically.

It is a further object of the present invention to present a machine which is completely automatic.

It is a still further object of the present invention to present a machine for riveting metal tabs to file cabinet index sheets safely.

Other and further objects will be apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a metal tab riveting machine made according to the present invention with parts in section and parts broken away;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a tab carrier assembly made according to the present invention and shown in a tab loading position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the device of FIG. 3 with parts in section and parts brokenaway, and shown in a tab riveting position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken as on line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken as on line 66 in FIG. 4 but shown with the carrier assembly in a rearward or loading position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of tab holding fingers of the device of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the carrier mechanism shown in the loading position taken along the center line of the carrier mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the tab carrier showing the tab support fingers holding the tab open;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the tab holding fingers in a tab riveting position; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the main drive shaft and control clutch assembly of the device of FIG. 1. 1

Referring to the drawings and numerals of reference Patented June 28, 1966 ice thereon, a metal tab attaching'or riveting machine illus- General construction The machine includes a power transmission mechanism 15; a metal tab loading or magazine section 16; a tab carrier and opener mechanism illustrated generally at 17, which carries the tabs from the loading section to a tab closing die section 18. In addition, a support table shown fragmentarily at 19 is provided for supporting the index sheets 20 to which metal tabs are to be riveted. The index sheets are used in file cabinets for dividers.

Power is supplied to the machine through a suitable electric motor, shown schematically at 29 in FIG. 2, which is controlled by an on-off switch 21. The motor 29 drives a V-belt 23 which in turn drives a sheave 24 that is d-riva'bly mounted onto a drive shaft 25. A shield 22 can be placed over the drive sheave and belt. The drive shaft 25 is rotatably mounted between the side plates 13, 13 adjacent the lower portion of the frame.

Drive mechanism A main drive gear 27 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 25 between the side plates 13 on a suitable bushing 26. The bushing rotates with the gear. Shaft 25 has an integral clutch collar 28. A suitable clutch is provided for transmitting rotary motion from the clutch collar 28 to the main drive gear-27. As shown, this clutch is of the coil spring type and many forms of the clutch are commercially available. The clutches are commonly called single revolution clutches. The clutch is modified slightly, as will be explained, in order to accomplish a controlled number of revolutions (four) of the main drive gear 27 during each operation cycle of this machine.

A first end portion of a coil spring 30, which, as shown, is made of wire having a square cross section, is drivably mounted to a hub 31 of the main drive gear 27 with a set screw 32. The set screw is threaded through the hub 31 which surrounds the spring. The spring is forced against the bushing 26 with the set screw. The gear, spring and bushing rotate as a unit. The opposite end portion of the coil spring 30 is mounted over the clutch collar portion 28 of shaft 25. The end portion 42 of the spring wire extends tangentially to the coiled portion and is \mounted in a provided slot of a trip ring 33 that is rotatably mounted over that end of the spring and the clutch collar. The end portion 42 of the spring moves with the trip ring.

Trip ring 33 has a notch 34 defined in the outer peripheral edge thereof. A trip arm 35 is drivalbly mounted on a pin 36 which in turn is pivotally mounted in suitable brackets 37 which are mounted on the frame 12. The trip arm 35 has an end surface 40 which will engage a latching surface of the notch 34 around the ring 33. When this occurs the trip ring is prevented from rotating in direction as indicated by arrow 41 in FIG. 2. Inasmuch as this is the direction of normal rotation of the shaft 25 when under power from its motor, the spring 30 riding on the clutch collar portion 28 will also tend to rotate in this direction and this. will cause the trip ring to tend to rotate in this direction as well. The dog or trip arm will not permit the trip ring to rotate. The end portion 42 of the spring 30 will tend to be lifted from the surface of the clutch collar 28. The spring will thus unwind or loosen from the surface for clutch collar 28 and the clutch collar 28 will merely spin freely inside the coil spring. The spring is not driven and therefore the gear 27 is not driven.

rate opening adjacent the fold of the metal. -lower leg 65 has a large opening 67 forming a window When the trip arm 35 is released from notch 34 by mechanism and in a manner which will be more fully explained later, the trip ring 33 is then also free to rotate with the clutch collar and shaft 25. This will cause the end portion of the spring 30 to tighten and to grip onto the outer surface of the clutch collar portion 28 of shaft and effect a driving engagement. The spring 30 will transmit this rotational force to the hub of the main drive gear 27 and cause the drive gear to rotate. The particular form of clutch is not essential, as long as the driving of gear 27 can be controlled.

The drive gear 27 is drivably engaged with a main gear 43 which, in turn, is drivably mounted onto a shaft 44 which has an eccentric center portion 45. The end portions of the shaft 44 are rotatably mounted in the side plates 13, 13 on suitable bearings. The main gear 43 carries a cam 46 which rotates with the gear 44 and the purpose of this will be more fully explained later. Briefly, the cam 46 is used for preventing the trip arm from returning to its normal position until the main gear 27 has rotated four revolutions, whenever the trip arm 35 is tripped by its control mechanism. The four revolutions of gear 27 cause one revolution of gear 43 and shaft 44, which completes one cycle of the machine.

The eccentric portion is used for driving the power linkage for operating the die section 18 of the machine. This power linkage will be more fully explained as the description proceeds.

Shaft 44 also mounts 'a second drive gear 50 (FIG. 2) which in turn drives a gear 51 that is rotatably mounted on a suitable hub or stub shaft 49, which is attached directly to the side plate 13 on the opposite side of the machine from gear 43. The stub shaft is cantilevered from the side wall. Gear 51 has a crank 52 drivably mounted thereon and the crank 52 has a cam roller 53 rotatably mounted at an outer end thereof. The cam roller 53 is slidably mounted in a cam slot 54 which is defined in an L-shaped actuator 55. An upper horizontal leg of the actuator is fixedly attached to the bottom of a main body 57 of a slide carrier assembly 56. The other leg of actuator 55 depends downwardly from the carrier.

The main body portion 57 which has four cars 58 integral therewith is longitudinally slidably mounted on suitable cylindrical rails 61 which in turn are fastened with other ears 62 to the side walls or plates 13. The ears 58 slide on the rails. The rails 61, 61 are parallel and the carrier is movable back and forth in direction as indicated by double arrow 63. The movement of the carrier is guided by the rails.

As the shaft 44, and consequently gears 50 and 51 rotate, the crank 52 will rotate, thereby rotating the cam roller 53. This will move the actuator 55 back and forth and thereby move the carrier assembly back and forth along the rails in directions as indicated by double arrow 63.

The carrier assembly is utilized for receiving index tabs from the loading magazine and carrying them forward to the riveting die. The carrier assembly includes mechanism which will receive an individual tab 66, hold it securely, and open it so that an index sheet can be inserted before the die is pressed down.

The tabs 66 are formed as folded pieces of metal, as shown, and have two legs. Each of the legs has a sepa- A first or in which to place a suitable index tab to indicate what is behind that index sheet when the tab has been placed onto an index sheet and is used in a file cabinet. A second or upper leg 64 has a smaller opening 68. The smaller opening 68 is aligned with the large opening. The small opening 68 is used for mounting the tabs in the feeding magazine.

In addition, the lower leg has three integral rivets 69 formed therein. The rivets extend upwardly and will pass through aligning holes in the index sheet and in the top leg 64 of the tab. The tops of the rivets are clinched over to hold the top leg down and thereby lock the tab on the index sheet.

Carrier slide assembly The main body 57 of the carrier slide assembly 56 is provided with tab holding fingers illustrated generally at 70 at the forward end thereof. The tab holding fingers are of three distinct sets. There are a pair of outer fingers 71, 71; a set of intermediate fingers 72, 72 and a set of center fingers 73, 73. All of the fingers are carried with the man body portion 57 but the outer fingers 71, 71 and the inner fingers 73, 73 can be moved against resilient forces with respect to the main body portion in order to receive and clamp and then release the tab.

The outer fingers 71, 71 each have a shank section 74 that is mounted in a separate receptacle 75 defined in the upper surface of the main body 57. The fingers 71 are slidably mounted in the receptacles and each is retained in its receptacle with a separate retainer plate 76, which is bolted to the top of main body 57 with suitable cap screws 77.

The fingers 71, 71 are resiliently urged in direction as indicated by arrow 81 in FIG. 6.

The finger shanks 74 have provided receptacles 78 (see FIG. 6) in the bottom thereof, in which a spring 79 is mounted. The spring 79 acts against an end surface of the receptacle 78 and a provided pin 80 which in turn is fixedly mounted in the main body 57 of the carrier.

The spring 79 will urge the fingers in direction as indicated by arrow 81 until the upper portion of the pins or pegs 80 projecting into the receptacle 78 of the finger will strike the end of the receptacle and prevent further movement. The fingers can move in direction opposite from that indicated by arrow 81 against the action of spring 79.

The outer end portion 83 of each of the fingers 71 is enlarged as shown and has an upwardly extending lug 84. The lug 84 extends above the upper plane of the finger, which is common to the plane of the top of the main body 57 of the carrier assembly. The lugs 84 fit into the window 67 of the tabs and have a rear portion 82 which slopes rearwardly and is utilized to hold the tabs in position. The outer end portions 83 of each of the fingers 71 also are provided with an actuator slot 85.

The intermediate fingers 72 are fixedly attached to the main body portion 57 with suitable cap screws 86. The intermediate fingers 72 have outer end portions 87 which are relatively narrow in cross section. They are reduced in width from the main portion and have slightly upwardly inclined lugs 88 at the outer ends thereof.

The center fingers 73 operate as a set. They are both integral with a common mounting block 90 and are utilized for opening the tabs, or in other words, separating the two legs of the tab sufficiently to permit an index sheet to be inserted into them easily before being riveted in place.

The center fingers 73 form an assembly 91 and each has a separate coaxial stub pin 92 integral therewith, adjacent the upper rear portions thereof. The pins 92 in turn are pivotally mounted to the fingers 72, 72. The outer upper ends 93 of the fingers 73 have small forwardly directed protuberances 94 which will fit over the forward edge of the opening 67 which the fingers engage in the tab and are utilized for pulling that leg of the tab downwardly to open the tabs.

A second actuator pin 95 is in turn mounted in the mounting block 90 and extends outwardly therefrom in both directions. The pin 95 has opposite end portions that extend into the actuator slots on the finger members 71.

The block is fixedly attached at the bottom thereof to a leaf spring 96 with a screw 97. The other end of the leaf spring 96 is fixedly attached to a forward por- 5. tion of an opener slide 98 which is slidably mounted with respect to the main body portion 57 of the slide assembly.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4, and 8, the main portion or shank of the opener slide is positioned below the main body 57 of the slide assembly and the opener slide 98 has a rear portion or lug 99 that projects upwardly into a provided slot 100 at the rear of the main body 57. The opener slide 98 can be held in place with any suitable guide means. As shown the bottom of the opener slide is supported by an upper horizontal leg of the actuator 55. The opener slide moves in a slot in the main body 57 and slides on the upper leg of the actuator.

The rear portion 99 of the opener slide, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 8, has a recess which houses a spring loaded plunger assembly illustrated generally at 101. The plunger assembly includes an actuator rod 104 which extends forwardly from the rear upright portion 99 through an opening. The receptacle in the rear portion 99 houses a spring 105 which is positioned between a flange 106 attached to the rod 104 and a plug 107 which is threaded into the end portion 99. The rod 104 extends'through an opening in the plug 107 as well. Therefore, the rod can be slid in longitudinal direction within the confines of the receptacle in the end portion 99 and against the action of the spring 105.

It will be seen that the opener sli-de assembly is slidably retained with respect to the slide assembly by the fact that the finger assembly 91 is pivotally mounted at the forward edge of the main body 57. However, the finger members can pivot a limited amount because of the leaf spring 96. In normal position the flange 106 will contact the forward end 'of the receptacle in which it is mounted and the end portion of the rod 104 will extend forwardly from the rear portion 99 of the opener slide.

Tab loading section The tab loading section 16 includes a tab magazine 115 on which the tabs are mounted. The magazine comprises a pair of spaced apart rods 116, 116 joined together with suitable brackets 117 and mounted onto an upright post 118. The two rods 116, 116 fit within the opening 68 of the tab and the tabs are stacked in vertical direction on these rods. A suitable weight 119 is placed on top of the stack of the tabs and insures that a gravity feed downwardly along the magazine will occur. The weight also closes the tabs in the stack so that the legs of the tabs are not separated.

It is to be noted that the manufacturers of metal tabs package the tabs in stacks and the operator of the machine disclosed need only insert the two rods into the stack in order to load the magazine. The magazine assembly 115 is hung onto a suitable peg 120 which is in turn fixedly attached to the post 118. The magazine is removable from the peg at will. The peg supports the upper bracket 117.

While a complete stack of tabs is not shown, it is to be understood that the stack 'can be in usual or preferred height.

In the usual case this stack will be two hundredfifty tabs.

The magazine 1115 with the tabs 66 in place is placed with the lower end of the stack extending into an opening 125 of a receiver 123. The receiver !123 is fixedly mounted onto a cross member 124 which in turn is at: tached to and extends between the side plates 13, .13 and is positioned above the carrier slide assembly 56. The opening 125 is of size and configuration to permit the tabs to drop freely therethrough and yetwill serve to guide the tabs and keep them in a vertical relationship. It can be seen that the upper edge portions of the opening 125 are chamfered to permit easy feeding of the tabs into the opening. The lower portions fit the tabs more closely and hold the tabs in vertical position above the carrier slide assembly. The tabs are positioned with the legs having the large opening 67 on the lower side.

With the carrier slide in-its most rearward position, which is the loading position, the fingers 71, 72 and 73 will be positioned below the receiver opening 125 and adjacent the rear portions thereof. The fingers will be aligned with the opening 67 in the lowermost of the tabs in the receiver. In order to bring the outer fingers 71, 71 into transverse alignment with fingers 72and 73, and permit opening 67 to fit over the fingers, a lug 126, which is fixedly attached to the cross member 124 engages a lug 127 on the top surface of each of the fingers 71 as the carrier moves back.

The fingers 7-1 are prevented from moving further as the carrier moves back. This will cause the springs 79 to be compressed when the carrier moves to its full rearward or first position and the lugs 84 on fingers 71 will transversely align with the lugs or projections on the other fingers so that the opening 67 in the lower leg 64 of the tab will drop over the lugs. When the lower leg of the tab. drops over the fingers, it is supported on a tab support bar which is fixed to cross member 124. A recess or slot 111 is provided in the main portion 57 of the carrier slide for clearance of the tab support bar. The tab support bar remain stationary and the carrier slides back and forth. In rearward position of the carrier, the tab support bar is positioned between the fingers 73. The tab support bar has a forward portion that remains in position below opening and holds the tabs up as the carrier moves back and forth. -A shoulder 113 is provided on the tab support bar to prevent the tabs from moving rearwardly with the carrier.

When the carrier is again moved forwardly, under control of the operator, and through the action of cam roller 53, it will carry the tab positioned on the fingers forwardly as well. The upper leg 64 of the lowermost tab will slide under the receiver. The fingers 72 and 73 will push against the forward edge of slot 67 and push the tab out. As soon as the carrier moves forward slightly the lugs 126 and 127 will disengage and the springs 79 will urge the fingers 71 and the lugs 84 rearwardly. The rear edge portion 82 of the lugs 84 will engage the rear edge defining the opening 67. The spring force from spring 76 will cause the tab to be securely held by lugs 84 and 93. The upper surfaces of the lugs 88 of fingers 72 contact the under surface of the top leg of the tab. This is possible because opening 67 is larger than opening 68.

The weight 1119 on the top of the stack of tabs will keep the two legs of the tab collapsed so that the upper leg will pass below the receiver without any difficulty.

When the carrier 'moves completely forward the tab will be carried to position where it is riveted with the die to an index sheet. As it moves forward the tab will be opened into a V-shape by the fingers.

Tab opener mechanism After the carrier slide has moved forwardly a distance sufiicient so that the tab 66 clears the receiver and the forward-end of the tab support 1110, the forward end of rod 104 will strike the rear end of tab support bar 110. The rod 104 moves with the tab carrier. This will cause the opener slide 98 to be held from forward travel through the rod and spring 105. The carrier continues to move forwardly and as it does the finger assembly 91 (finger 73) will pivot about pins 92 in direction as indicated by arrow 112 (FIG. 9) because of the force on the opener slide. This will pull the forward lugs 93 downwardly and the protuberances 94, which are engaging the lower leg 65 of the tab at the front edge of opening 67 will pull the lower leg of the tab downwardly also. The upper leg 64 will be held from moving downwardly by the upper surface of the lugs 88 on fingers 72 and therefore the tabs will be opened in a V-shape, as shown in FIG.

7 9. The machine is adjusted so that at the full forward stroke of the carrier slide the tab is opened and is positioned properly on the index sheet which has been placed against stops on the support table 19.

Tab riveting die The closing die for the tabs includes a lower die assembly 130 that has a die block 131 mounted between a pair of arms 132. The arms 132 are pivoted as at 133 to each of the side plates :13. The die block 131 moves on an arc upwardly and downwardly under the urging of the power transmission mechanism.

The die block is movable in provided notches 134 on the side plates 13.

A pressure plate 135 of suitable configuration is mounted on the die block. The die 'block 131, as stated previously, is movable in vertical direction and is actuated through a toggle link arrangement illustrated generally at 136. The toggle link arrangement includes a pair of upper links 137, 137 which are pivotally mounted directly to the die block assembly as at 138 and a pair of lower links 141, 141 which are pivotally mounted to lower ends of the upper links 137, 137 with a pin 142, the lower links 141 are pivotally mounted at their lower ends to a base block 143 that is fixed to the side plates of the machine. The lower links 142, 142 are pivoted to the base block with a pin 144.

A connecting rod 145 is also pivotally mounted to pin 142 and is positioned between the lower ends of upper links 137, 137. The connecting rod 145 is in turn rotatably mounted to the eccentric portion 45 of the shaft 44 at its other end. Thus the connecting rod moves back and forth in direction as indicated by double arrow 146 whenever the shaft 44 is rotated. As the connecting rod moves back and forth as indicated by double arrow 146 the toggle linkage will shorten and lengthen as the rod moves back and forth. Upon shortening of the toggle linkage the die block assembly 130 will move downwardly about its pivot 133 and when the connecting rod moves to extend the toggle linkage the die block will again move upwardly.

The die block 131 also has three die buttons 140 which support the underside of the rivets in the tabs as they are clinched.

The die block 131 has an actuator pin 139 integral therewith also. The pin extends rearwardly from the die block.

An upper die block assembly 149 is fixedly attached between the side plates 13, 13. The upper die block 149 has a pressure pad 150 at the lower surface thereof. The pressure pad 150 is attached to the die block prope-r with a suitable cushion pad 151 which can be made of rubber or other suitable material. Clinching pins 152 are threadably mounted in the upper die block 149 and are used for clinching the rivets on the tabs when the die is closed.

Inasmuch as the movement of the die block assembly 130 and the carrier slide 56 are controlled by a common shaft 44 (the carrier slide is controlled by gears and cam and the die block through direct mechanical toggle linkage and a connecting rod), they are timed so that their functions occur in a predetermined relationship upon rotation of the shaft.

Control mechanism After the tabs have been placed in the magazine the swich 21 is closed and the motor 29 for powering the machine is started, the shaft will rotate. The clutch will not drive gear 27 until trip arm is tripped. An index sheet 20 on which a tab is to be riveted is placed onto the table 19 and against provided stops 154. At the time the main switch 21 is closed a condenser 156 of suitable size is charged. The condenser circuit is completed through a suitable source of power 166, a resistor 167, a diode 168, and a first set of contacts in a relay 169. When an index sheet is properly placed on the table it will trip and close a microswitch 155. When the microswitch is tripped a coil 170 of the relay is energized. This trips contacts in the relay 169 to complete a circuit through the condenser 156 to a solenoid 157, thereby energizing the solenoid, which will push on a rod 158 and move trip arm 35 out of notch 34. As soon as the condenser has fully discharged, the solenoid will release the trip arm.

A spring 159 is provided to urge the end of the trip arm toward the notch 34. Once the trip arm 35 has been released from the notch 34, as previously explained, the outer end of the spring 30 will tighten as the clutch collar 28 and the other end of the spring will drive the drive gear 27. The drive gear 27 in turn will drive main gear 43. The drive gear will be free to rotate one revolution once the arm is tripped. The solenoid trips the arm and releases. It is to be remembered that the shaft 44 on which gear 43 is drivably mounted must rotate one revolution to complete a cycle of the machine. To do this drive gear 27 must rotate four revolutions. Therefore the trip arm has to be held away from notch 34 until the gear 27 has rotated more than three complete revolutions, at which time the trip arm can be released and permitted to enter the notch 134 (under urging of spring 159) to release the clutch after gear 27 has finished four revolutions.

The cam 46, which rotates with gear 43, controls the trip arm. A lever 161 is drivably mounted onto the shaft or pin 36 and has a cam roller 160 rotatably mounted at the outer end thereof. The spring 159 also urges the roller toward cam 46. The trip arm and lever move together about the axis of pin 36. The cam 46 has a low portion 163 which will permit the lever to move a sufficient distance to let trip arm 35 enter notch 34. The cam 46 also includes a high portion 162 which extends most of the way around the cam. The high portion is joined to the low portion with straight portions 164. The high portion will hold roller 160, lever 161 and trip arm 35 in position so that the trip arm cannot enter notch 34 and the clutch spring 30 will remain engaged with the clutch collar 28 to drive gear 27.

The gear 27 will rotate one revolution each time the trip arm is tripped, regardless of the position of cam 46. The gear 43 and cam 46 will rotate 90 during this time. The high point of the cam 46 will be positioned to hold the trip arm away from the notch 34 before the gear 43 rotates 90. Consequently the gears will continue to rotate until the roller 160 will come to the low point 163 of the cam 46, at which time the trip arm 35 will again be free to enter the notch 34. As shown this is after the trip ring completes its fourth revolution. The trip ring 33 will then be held and the spring 30 released from driving relationship with the clutch collar 28. The drive gear 27 will then stop.

The condenser 156 is not recharged until the index sheet is removed to release the microswitch 155. As long as th microswitch remains closed, the coil will remain energized and hold the relay contacts in the condenser discharge position. Once the index tab has been riveted in place and the sheet is removed from the machine the switch 155 will open and the coil 170 is de-energized. This permits the relay contacts to return to the position wherein the condenser 156 will recharge and the machine is ready for another cycle.

The machine will not cycle again until the microswitch 155 has been tripped again.

It should be noted that additional microswitches can be placed in series with the microswitch 155, if desired. The additional microswitches could be placed on the machine so as to be tripped only when the index sheet is positioned squarely or against another stop. Onc all of the microswitches controlling the relay coil are tripped (only one is shown) the coil 170 is energized and the condenser will discharge to energize the solenoid.

Only one cycle of the machine is possible until the microswitch is released and reclosed.

9 A relay made by C. P. Clare & Co. of Chicago, Illinois, Model HG1019 has been found to work satisfactorily as relay 169.

Machine cycle Therefore in operation, assuming that the carrier slide 56 is in its starting position as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8, with a tab from the magazine positioned on the fingers 71, 72 and 73, and with the die block 130 in its lowermost position, an index sheet 20 will be placed on the table 19, the microswitch 155 will be tripped, trip arm 35 will be released as explained, and gear 27 will be driven. (The main motor will of course be started previously.) Gear 27 in'turn will drive the gear 43 to rotate shaft 44. The cam 46 will hold the trip arm out of engagement with notch 34 until shaft 44 makes one revolution. Gears 50 and 51 will mesh and crank 52 will be rotated. Cam roller 53 will act through slot 54 and start to move the carrier slide forwardly along rails 61, 61. The tab at the bottom of the receiver will slide underneath the receiver 123 and once it has moved slightly forward, the fingers 171 will b urged against-the rear edge of the bottom opening 67 of the tab to cause the tab to be securely held against fingers 73 on the front edge of the opening 67 and fingers 71 on the rear edge. After the tab has cleared the receiver, the rod 104 on opener slide 98 will contact the rear end of the tab support bar 110 and, under the resilient urging of the spring 105, and leaf spring 96, the fingers 73 will pivot about pin 92. The protuberances 94 will carry the lower leg 65 of the tab downwardly while the upper leg is supported on fingers 72. This causes the two legs of the tab to separate and open as shown in FIG. 9. The tab will be carried forward in this open position and at the end of the forward stroke of the slide, the tab will be properly positioned on the index sheet 20, which is resting on the table 19. All this time the shaft 44 has been rotating. The toggle linkage has been moving the die block assembly 130 about its pivot. When the tab is properly positioned, (the carrier pauses at the forward end of its stroke because of the shape of slot 54), the die block 130 will move toward closed position. As it moves upwardly, pin 139 will contact the bottom of leaf spring 96 which is attached to block 90 at the forward edge thereof, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, and will force the finger assembly 91 to pivot in opposite direction from that indicated by arrow 112 about pins 92. This will cause further compression of the spring 105 as the opener slide will have to move forwardly to permit the finger assembly to pivot, but this will not cause damage to the mechanism. The finger assembly 91 will pivot sufiiciently in this direction so that the protuberances 94 on the finger 73 clear the forward edge of the tab opening that they had been gripping. Also, at the same time, pin 95 (carried by finger assembly 91) will be moving forwardly and upwardly with the finger assembly. The pin 95 will act on the actuation slots 85 of the fingers 71 and will cause these fingers 71 to move forwardly in direction opposite that indicated by arrow 81 against the action of springs 79. This will then also cause the rear portion 83 of the lugs 84 of fingers 71, which had been gripping the rear edges of the opening in the tabs, to release the rear edges. The tab is contacted by the pressure pad 135 and it will be lifted off the fingers slightly, as shown in FIG. 10, as the die block assembly completes its stroke.

The tab will be riveted closed against the upper pressure pad 150. The rubber pad 151 will compress and clincher pins 152 will engage the upper ends of the rivets 69 and clinch the rivets securely against the upperleg to hold the metal tabs on the index sheets 29. The underside of the rivets are supported by the buttons 140 in th lower die. The rivets 69 are formed in the lower leg of the tab and are clinched after they pass through the index sheet and provided openings in the upper leg. The shaft 44 will continue to rotate and will return the carrier slide to its original rearward position. The die block assembly will also be lowered. As the die block is lowered the compression pad 151 will strip the riveted metal tab and its now attached index sheet from the clincher pin. The sheet can be removed and is ready for use. The process will then be repeated as soon as another index sheet is properly positioned on table 19 and the microswitch 155 is tripped.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for applying metal tabs to an index sheet, said metal tabs comprising a strip of material bent to form two legs forming a V-shape and at least one opening in said tab on one of said legs adjacent the bend of the tab, and rivet means on one leg of said tab and aligning openings in the other leg of the tab, said machine including a frame, means for holding said tabs in a substantially upright stack above said frame with the opening facing downwardly, a carrier slide positioned below said stack and mo\ able from a first position aligned with said stack to a second position, finger means on said carrier adapted to enter the opening in the lowermost tab in said stack with said carrier in said first position, resilient means urging said fingers to engage the edges defining said opening and carry said tab forwardly as soon as said carrier moves away from said first position, said carrier being movable to a second position wherein said tab is in place on an index sheet with the legs of said tab on opposite sides of said sheet, a die movable to position to close the legs of said tab onto said index sheet and clinch said rivet means to hold the legs of said tab against the opposite sides of said index sheet, and power means for actuating said carrier between said first and second positions and said die to said closed position.

2. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said power means is actuated by control means, said control means including a switch tripped whenever an index sheet is properly placed with respect to said closing die and said carrier, said control means further including a clutch which will drive said power means a predetermined length of time sufiicient to complete one complete cycle of movement of said carrier slide each time said switch is tripped.

3. The combination as specified in claim 2 wherein the finger means on said carrier slide includes a pair of outer fingers which are slidably mounted with respect to the carrier slide, resilient means on each of said outer fingers urging said fingers rearwardly with respect to said carrier, and stop means on said frame for holding said fingers from-travel rearwardly during the last part of the stroke of said carrier as it moves toward its first position to thereby bring said outer fingers to a position substantially aligned with the other fingers on said carrier slide and to permit the opening in the lowermost tab to drop over the fingers on said carrier.

4. The combination as specified in claim 3 wherein said fingers include a set of forwardly directed opener fingers having protuberances thereon adapted to engage the front edge defining the opening in the lower leg of said tab, actuating means adapted to pull said opener fingers downwardly as said carrier slide moves toward its second position, and support means for the upper leg of said tab to hold said upper leg as said opener fingers move downwardly thereby to cause said tab to form a V-shape.

5. The combination as specified in claim 4 and actuator means for moving said opener fingers to position wherein the protuberances thereon will clear the forward edge of the opening in the bottom leg of said tab whenever said die moves to a riveting position.

6. A machine for riveting metal tabs to an index sheet, including a frame, a magazine on the frame for holding a plurality of tabs in a substantially upright stack, a tab carrier movable with respect to the frame between a first loading position wherein it is aligned with and receives the lowest tab in said stack, and movable to a second position wherein the tab carrier is in position on said index sheet, finger means on the carrier, said finger means being movable to a tab gripping position as said carrier moves from said first to said second position, a die set positioned on the frame so as to align with said tab when said carrier is in its second position, said die set having a movable member which moves to and from a closed position, rivet means on said tab, said rivet means being clinched to hold said tab in closed position when said die set is actuated to closed position, means to move said finger means to released position when said die set moves to its closed position, and power means driven from a common shaft for moving said carrier between its first and second positions and said die set to its closed position.

7. The combination as specified in claim 6 wherein the tabs in the magazine each have a downwardly facing opening, and wherein the finger means on said tab carrier includes a pair of center fingers having forwardly facing lugs and a pair of outer fingers which are longitudinally slidably mounted with respect to the carrier, resilient means on each of said outer fingers urging said fingers rearwardly with respect to said carrier, and stop means on said frame for holding said outer fingers from travel rearwardly during the last part of the stroke of said carrier as it is moved toward its first position to thereby bring said outer fingers to a loading position substantially aligned with the center fingers on said carrier, the opening in said tab being of size to drop over the fingers on said carrier with the outer fingers in their loading position.

8. A machine for applying metal tabs to an index sheet said metal tabs comprising a strip of material bent to form two legs forming a V-shape, and at least one index opening in said tab on one of said legs adjacent the bend of the tab, and rivet means on one leg of said tab and aligning openings on the other leg of the tab, said machine including a frame, receiver means on the frame for holding said tabs in an upright stack above said frame with the index opening facing downwardly, a carrier slide positioned below said stack and movable from a first position aligned with said stack to a second position, finger means on said carrier adapted to enter the index opening in the lowermost tab in said stack with said carrier in said first position, resilient means urging said fingers to engage the edges defining said opening and carry said tab forwardly as soon as said carrier moves away from said first position, a tab support bar fixed with respect to the frame and positioned below said stack, said carrier being provided with a recess to clear the support bar, said carrier being movable to a second position wherein said tab is in place on an index sheet with the legs of said tab on opposite sides of said sheet, a die movable to closed position to close the legs of said tab onto said index sheet and clinch said rivet means to hold the legs of said tab against the opposite sides of said index sheet, and power means for actuating said carrier between said first and second positions and said die to said closed position.

9. The combination as specified in claim 8 wherein said movable die is mounted on pivot arms, said pivot arms being pivotally mounted to said frame.

10. The combination as specified in claim 8 wherein said power means is actuated by control means, said control means including a switch tripped whenever an index sheet is properly placed with respect to said closing die and said carrier, said control means further including a clutch which will drive said power means a length of time sufiicient to complete one complete cycle of movement of said carrier slide each time said switch is tripped, and then will stop.

11. The combination as specified in claim 10 wherein said fingers include a set of forwardly directed opener fingers pivotally mounted on the carrier about a transverse axis and having protuberances thereon adapted to engage the front edge defining the opening in the lower leg of said tab, actuating means adapted to pivot said opener fingers downwardly as said carrier slide moves toward its second position, and support means on the carrier for holding the upper leg of said tab as said opener fingers move downwardly, thereby to cause said tab to form a V-shape.

12. The combination as specified in claim 11 and actuator means on said die for moving said opener fingers about their axis to position wherein the protuberances thereon will clear the forward edge defining the opening in the bottom leg of said tab whenever said die moves to its closed position.

13. A machine for applying tabs to an index sheet or the like, said tabs comprising a strip of material bent to form two legs in a V-shape, rivet means on one leg of said tab and aligning openings on' the other leg of the tab, said machine including a frame, magazine means for holding a plurality of said tabs, said tabs being biased toward a first end of the magazine means, a carrier positioned adjacent the first end of the magazine and movable from a first position aligned with the tabs in the magazine to a second position, finger means on said carrier adapted to engage and retain one leg of the tab at the first end of the magazine with said carrier in said first position, said carrier being movable to a second position wherein the retained tab is in place on an index sheet with the legs of said tab on opposite sides of said sheet, a die movable to position to clamp the legs of said tab onto the index sheet and clinch said rivet means to hold the legs of said tab against the opposite sides of said index sheet, and power means for actuating said carrier between said first and second positions and said die to said closed position.

14. The combination as specified in claim 13 wherein said power means is actuated by control means, said control means including a switch tripped whenever an index sheet is properly placed on the frame with respect to said closing die and said carrier.

15. The combination as specified in claim 14 wherein said control means further includes a clutch which will drive said power means a length of time sufiicient to complete one complete cycle of movement of said carrier slide each time said switch is tripped, and then will stop.

16. A machine for riveting tabs to an index sheet, including a frame, a magazine on the frame for holding a plurality of tabs, said tabs being biased toward a first end of the magazine, a tab carrier movable with respect to the frame between a first loading position wherein it is aligned with and receives the end tab from said magazine and movable to a second position wherein the tab carried is in position on the index sheet, finger means on the carrier, said finger means being movable to a tab gripping position as said carrier moves from said first to said second position, a die set positioned on the frame so as to align with said tab when said carrier is in its second position, said die set having a movable member which moves to and from a closed position, rivet means on said tab, said rivet means being clinched to hold said tab on the index sheet said die set is actuated to closed position, means to move said finger means to released position when said die set moves to its closed position, and power means for moving said carrier between its first and second positions and said die set to its closed position.

17. The combination as specified in claim 16 wherein the tab has two overlying legs with an opening defined in the leg adjacent the tab carrier, and said finger means includes a forwardly directed opener finger pivotally mounted on the carrier about a transverse axis and having a protuberance thereon adapted to engage the front edge defining the opening in the adjacent leg of said tab, actuating means adapted to pivot said opener finger downwardly as said carrier slide moves toward its second-position, References Cited by the Examiner and support means on the carrier for holding the other UNITED STATES PATENTS leg of said tab as said opener finger moves downwardly, thereby to cause said tab to form an open V-shape. 823,021 6/1906 Andrews 18. The combination as specified in claim 17 and actua- 5 1,049,463 1/1913 Dudley 22757 tor means on said die for moving said opener finger about 1,286,414 12/1918 Rlchardson 227 57 its axis to position wherein the protuberance thereon will 2484139 8 10/1949 Bell et 29 243-57 clear the forward ed e defining the opening in the adjacent leg of said tab vt henever said die moves to its closed EDWARD ALLEN Pnmary Examiner position. 10 MILTON S. MEHR, Examiner. 

1. A MACHINE FOR APPLYING METAL TABS TO AN INDEX SHEET, SAID METAL TABS COMPRISING A STRIP OF MATERIAL BENT TO FORM TWO LEGS FORMING A V-SHAPE AND AT LEAST ONE OPENING IN SAID TAB ON ONE OF SAID LEGS ADJACENT THE BEND OF THE TAB, AND RIVET MEANS ON ONE LEG OF SAID TAB AND ALIGNING OPENINGS IN THE OTHER LEG OF THE TAB, SAID MACHINE INCLUDING A FRAME, MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID TABS IN A SUBSTANTIALLY UPRIGHT STACK ABOVE SAID FRAME WITH THE OPENING FACING DOWNWARDLY, A CARRIER SIDE POSITIONED BELOW SAID STACK AND MOVABLE FROM A FIRST POSITION ALIGNED WITH SAID STACK TO A SECOND POSITION, FINGER MEANS ON SAID CARRIER ADAPTED TO ENTER THE OPENING IN THE LOWERMOST TAB IN SAID STACK WITH A CARRIER IN SAID FIRST POSITION, RESILIENT MEANS URGING SAID FINGERS TO ENGAGE THE EDGES DEFINING SAID OPENING AND CARRRY SAID TAB FORWARDLY AS SOON AS SAID CARRIER MOVES AWAY FROM SAID FIRST POSITION, SAID CARRIER BEING MOVABLE TO A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN SAID TAB IS IN PLACE ON SAID INDEX SHEET WITH LEGS OF SAID TAB ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID SHEET, A DIE MOVABLE TO POSITION TO CLOSE THE LEGS OF SAID TAB ONTO SAID INDEX SHEET CLINCH SAID RIVET MEANS TO HOLD THE LEGS OF SAID TAB AGAINST THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID INDEX SHEET, SAID POWER MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID CARRIER BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITION AND SAID DIE TO SAID CLOSED POSITION. 